In < I>Blood Oath< /I>, Quincy Caine was aboard a stagecoach together with his bride when there was an Indian attack. He was spattered by his wife's blood, although his own life was spared. Ever since, he has been afraid of guns and gunfire. It certainly places Caine at a disadvantage once he agrees to accept the deed to a piece of land at dispute in a battle for a railroad right-of-way, only to find himself framed for murder with only street-wise urchin, Johnny Renshaw, to side him. Drifter Tully Gal in < I>Night Riders< /I> originally arrived at Splinter Rock to see Louise again. He purchased a spirited mustang from Sugar Lagg, only to be thrown and have to chase the mustang into the malpais where Lagg has his wild horse camp, and finds out that Lagg has dammed up Splinter Creek, the chief source of water for the ranching community and artificially creating the drought conditions. The explosive situation is further complicated when Tully observes a clandestine meeting between Daimler, Lagg, and Ellery Vines in a deadfall in Splinter Rock.< P>Giff Cheshire's Western stories are notable for their complex characters, expert pacing, and authentic backgrounds.